I've been reading this thread and kinda-sorta playing with the idea of looking for a mixte I can use for commuting to work so I wouldn't have to keep taking the rack on and off my road bike when I want to do long rides.

I was looking on Craigslist yesterday and saw a few that could be promising, then I came across one that had been posted some time ago. The guy was selling a mixte and a regular older road bike. The quality of the picture wasn't good, and the bikes were too far away to see any details. I decided to take a chance and called him to go take a look and this is what I found...



















"Sold!!", I told him and the bike came home with me. This bike was in almost pristine condition. I didn't even do any clean-up on it before I took these pictures! I guess it's been sitting in his garage forever and his wife only rode it a few times. He's the original owner. I had planned to look at a few others before I made my decision, but I just couldn't turn this one down. Of course there are a few things that need to be replaced before I start riding it, but over-all I'm VERY happy with the paint and general condition. First on the list are new tires...possibly wheels, a saddle (a honey colored brooks, perhaps?) and I'm debating on whether to get drop bars or moustache ones. DH can replace all the brake and gear cables. I also like the idea of leather bar tape and shiny silver fenders.

As I was driving to this guys house, I was kind of sweating about the test ride. I had worn jeans, and the house was at the top of a massive hill in a VERY impressive neighborhood! Thank goodness there was a flat-ish road up on top to ride on. I joked with him about getting it for free if I made it down and back up the hill! I also felt like a fool swerving around trying to change gears. They're in an awkward position when you're used to the ones on a road bike.

So, any other ideas with this bike? Throw 'em out there! I know some of you have a better 'eye' than I do for this stuff.